What are the test charges of diagnosing liver cirrhosis in India?

Charges of tests for diagnosing Cirrhosis may vary depending on the city you reside into, type of diagnostic center, or the hospital from where you get the tests done. You can find the prices of tests in various Indian cities here.

What are the different causes that can lead to Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis can be caused due to two different reasons; mainly inheritance and those that affect later on in life.
Inherited causes:

Hemochromatosis (Iron buildup in body)

Wilson's disease (Accumulation of copper in liver)

Biliary atresia (Poor formation of bile ducts)

Autoimmune hepatitis

Alagille syndrome (Digestive disorder)

Glycogen or Galactosemia (Sugar metabolism disorder)

Causes that affect later on in life:

Hepatitis C and B or sometimes D

Chronic alcoholism

NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)

Blockage of bile ducts (Pancreatic or bile duct cancer)

Treatment is extremely essential for liver disease and if ignored, this leads to cirrhosis.

What are the common symptoms of this disease?

Your liver may function correctly in spite of being damaged during the early stages of this disease. Symptoms become visible as the disease progresses.

Symptoms include:

Weakness and tiredness

Appetite loss

Muscle wasting and weight loss

Vomiting and nausea

Pain or tenderness in area around liver

Tiny red colored lines (blood capillaries) appear on skin above waist

Itchy skin

Yellow skin and eye whites

Bleeding tendency and bruising is more easy, like bleeding gums or nose bleeds

Loss of hair

Shivering and fever attacks

Swelling in feet, ankles and legs

Abdominal swelling

Alterations in personality

Sleep issues

Loss of memory

Difficulty and confusion in concentrating

What are the treatments for Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis has different treatments according to stages and needs as mentioned below:

Early stage:

Treatments for alcohol dependency

Diet for weight loss

Medications for controlling the disease along with other causes that lead to cirrhosis

Treating cirrhosis complications:

Fluid buildup: Following a diet regime that is low on sodium content is prescribed. The excess fluid can be removed with help of a needle.

Bleeding via enlarged veins: Vasoconstrictor medicines and Beta-blocker may be prescribed. Shunts may be used for moving fluid or blood away from belly. Sierotherapy or Endoscopic variceal banding is done to stop the bleeding.

Liver transplant:
This is the final treatment option as it is used only when the liver completely stops functioning. The diseased liver is replaced with a healthy one obtained from some donor.

What are preventive measures to adopt for avoiding Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis can be prevented if you follow certain things as mentioned below:

Limit alcohol intake: Recommended levels for alcohol intake is 3 to 4 units per day for men and 2 to 3 units per day for women. If cirrhosis is detected, completely stopping alcohol intake is recommended to speed up recovery.

Protection from Hepatitis: Using protection while engaging in sex and avoiding sharing of needles can keep hepatitis at bay.

Eat healthy: A diet full of vegetables and fruits along with foods that provide lean protein are highly recommended. Reduction in fried and fatty food is good.

Healthy weight: Excess body fat is bad for your liver. Maintaining correct weight with help of a dietitian or doctor can prevent weight gain.